A collaborative strategy with community pharmacists and physicians to improve patient experience and implement quality standards for patients with depression

BACKGROUND: The experience for patients with mental health disorders may be negatively impacted by the barriers to care, such as low health care provider-to-population ratios, travel time to reach service providers, higher hospital readmission rates, and local demand for services, especially in suburban and rural areas. OBJECTIVES: The project aimed to design a model in which physicians and pharmacists collaborate to provide comprehensive care to patients with depression in two northern communities and improve the patient and provider experience. METHODS: Pharmacists and primary care physicians developed a model in which patients starting on new antidepressant medications received regular follow-up care and education on adjunct therapies from the community pharmacists instead of the physician. The patient and provider experiences were measured through surveys. RESULTS: Out of the 14 patients who completed the patient survey, 13 reported feeling more supported by receiving follow-up care from pharmacists. Out of the 5 providers who completed the provider survey, 4 reported that the physician-pharmacist collaboration and additional support were helpful to patients. CONCLUSION: Overall, the project positively impacted patient experience and providers perceived value in the shared-care model.